Singapore Gymnastics Board Meeting: Strategic Growth and Future Plans

On 13th August 2024, Singapore Gymnastics (SG) held its August Board meeting, where key developments and strategic initiatives were discussed, setting the stage for the future of gymnastics in Singapore.

Ministerial Engagement and Strategic Goals

SG board members, including President Dr. Patrick Liew (PL), Vice President Clarence Yap (CY), Fionna Thong (FT), and High-Performance Technical Director Karen Norden, attended a meeting with the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth to present SG’s progress since 2017 and outline its ambitious goals for 2028 and beyond. Key topics included gymnastics’ role as a foundational sport in Singapore, the preparation of gymnasts for upcoming international competitions, and achieving podium finishes at the SEA Games.

The discussion also emphasised the importance of establishing a dedicated facility for gymnastics, investing in coaching development from grassroots to high performance, and fostering collaboration within the gymnastics and broader sporting community.

These initiatives align with SG's broader vision of positioning Singapore as a regional and global hub for gymnastics, with continued efforts to bid for international-level events.

Government Investment and Sports Strategy

CEO Richard Gordon provided an overview of key government strategies aimed at elevating Singapore’s sports performance. This includes major announcements during the National Day Rally and subsequent updates in August. The government plans to invest a billion dollars into centralising training facilities at Kallang. This facility will serve as part of a broader initiative to professionalise National Sports Associations (NSAs) and develop elite athlete pathways, inspired by successful models like the Hong Kong Sports Institute.

The Board emphasised the need for SG to align with these national strategies and position itself as a key player in the evolving sports landscape of Singapore.

School Partnership Program

SG is partnering with SportSG to roll out gymnastics programs in schools as part of the ActiveSG framework. These funded programs aim to introduce gymnastics to students in a non-CCA setting. Clubs and coaches will play a vital role in implementing the program, and it is also linked to a new initiative where over 30 teachers will participate in an SG coaching course. The initiative aims to make gymnastics more accessible at the grassroots level.

Board Succession and Strategic Planning

The Board also discussed succession planning as part of SG’s long-term strategy. Meanwhile, the Governance Committee is recruiting new board members and sub-committee members to ensure a smooth transition in leadership.

The Board reviewed plans for the upcoming strategic planning session scheduled on 25 August, emphasising the importance of refining the strategic plan for FY26–29. With guidance from Deloitte, SG will focus on developing a strong long-term strategy, accompanied by an operational plan with clear metrics to track success.

Financial and Fundraising Efforts

The Treasurer provided a financial update, reporting that SG’s budget is on track. However, $100,000 in sponsorship/fundraising income has yet to be secured, which may require adjustments to the budget. Efforts to minimise event costs have been implemented to reduce the dependency on fundraising. There is concern over the slow progress of fundraising and a commitment to revitalising these efforts in the coming months.

Bidding for Major Events

SG is preparing a bid to host the 2025 Asian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. The host nation will be decided at the upcoming AGU Congress in Shanghai, and SG’s bid will emphasise government support, financial backing, and local facilities. Securing such a prestigious event will further enhance Singapore’s profile in the international gymnastics community.

Conclusion

The August Board meeting highlighted SG’s commitment to growing gymnastics at both the grassroots and elite levels. With continued government investment, upcoming partnerships, and strategic leadership transitions in place, Singapore Gymnastics is well-positioned to achieve its long-term vision of becoming a key player in regional and global gymnastics.